Out of control

The following is an excerpt from an article found online today – it highlights the realities of what can happen when the wrong people end up in power.  We’re beginning to wonder what hair-brained idea the minister’s people will come up with next.. as if the Traveston dam was unpopular enough, the new dingo fences on Fraser Island are beyond a joke and now we have rogue crocs popping up everywhere.. does our local member even have a clue when it comes to reptiles or has he been reading one too many fanatasy novels while sipping on moet?

 

“The research program that unleashed the crocodile on Magnetic Island will be reconsidered”, Premier Anna Bligh says.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the 3.5-metre reptile had been trapped near the Cape York community of Bamaga earlier this year and released more than 1,000km south near Townsville.

The move was part of satellite tracking program Crocs in Space which is researching crocodile behaviour.

The beast has since been spotted on Magnetic Island, just off Townsville, where beaches have been closed.

Ms Bligh said the relocation was “inappropriate” and she had asked Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara to look into the research program.

“I’ve asked the minister for environment to have a really thorough examination of this research program to determine whether it still represents good value for money,” she told reporters in Cairns.

“Because, on the face of it, the decision to relocate this crocodile to the Townsville area is a very strange decision.”

 

Anna, we could not have said it better ourselves!

A change of tune?

I was surprised to read in our local (24/10/08), a
letter from Lin Powell. Lin for those that don’t know
is an ex school teacher, state government minister
and an active member of the National Party, or
maybe now the LNP?
 
Lin’s letter was decrying the lack of action by our
federal government on petrol prices. He suggested
because government members did not pay for their
petrol they did not care. Further, Lin was waiting for
“some elected representative to be as diligent in
examining oil companies as they do banks”.
However he failed to make any suggestions as to
how governments could curb petrol prices!
 
I always thought Lin was a supporter of the Free
Enterprise System, it seems I was wrong. Or
could it be Lin is into election mode, where you
say what the electorate wants to hear?
 
There are only two ways I can see to curb petrol
prices. One is to nationalise the oil companies (a
good idea), the other is to build a state owned oil
refinery and distribution system (not such a good
idea). Lowering taxes won’t help as taxes are the
only source of government income, if they lower
here they will raise them some where else.
 
So was Lin’s letter a sign we are in election mode?
 
John A Neve

Puff Pieces

We’re wondering when we will finally see the local council achieve something new.. as far as we can tell, the dust has settled and everyone has found a chair behind a desk.. some have nice new coffee machines and all.. yes the phone systems are still messed up but 8 months on, we’d like to see more from our council and councilors.

Every week we hear Cr O’Connell has joined a new committee or something and we often wonder how he manages to find time to be a councilor but as for the majority of his team mates, who really knows?  Even Cr Dalgleish who went through a solid phase of foot in mouth on every possible medium he could find not that long ago has gone completely quiet.

The only other councilor we can see any noticable signs of is Cr Brooks with her semi-regular updates to her website.  As for the remainder, we can only assume they are sitting back enjoying the free sandwiches and bikkies until the next election is just around the corner.

Like many others, we’re disappointed council has taken so long to act on the Flight Training school – one way or the other this is an issue many of us would like to see resolved.  And  how about some of the older projects such as the Marine Industrial Park near Maryborough (remember that one?) or the joint animal refuge / pound? 

We keep hearing a common theme – council has no money for new projects – but what about old projects?  If amalgamation cost the region so much how is it that council has not sought assistance from the State Government?  When amalgamations were announced, Cap’t Bligh declared funds would be made available to assist with any ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses connected with the process.  To our knowledge, only two councils in the entire state bothered to apply (successfully no less) for additional coin to keep things flowing.

Even with the current ‘economic downturn’ there is still scope for councils to be proactive in ensuring regions flourish.  We note in the media Cr O’Connell is on record saying FCRC will ‘work with its existing and new clients, investors & developers and the business community to quicken project approvals, increase in -kind and financial incentives and ensure our supply chain is local and maintainted.”  This is a rather bold statement and we seriously hope Cr O’Connell receives the support from the entire council on this matter.. given that council didn’t see fit to even attempt to use a local supplier for its new logo, we strongly doubt this will happen.. but we live in hope!

Jobs for the Boys #2

We received the following response from John Edwards regarding the last post.. we’ll print it intact..

The majority of small businesses do not want to be represented by the load mouthed whinging minority. So please print our following views
 
The article regarding the recent Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism election seems to have been written by either the losing candidate or an associate. Its full of statements that are either incorrect or just plain sour grapes from a two time failed candidate who has been whinging since the old hervey bay tourism bureaux days.
 
It does not reflect the views fo most of the small members like us so here’s the majority view.
 
The tourism boards constitution clearly states that a proxy must be a member- which when you think about it is quite logical really. If the losing candidate was actually interested in being elected to the tourism board he would have read the constitution and been aware of this and not embarrassed the few friends he brought along who couldn’t vote.
 
The only true statement in the article is that most members are small businesses, like us – and guess what – all members, large or small get only one vote each at elections. Therefore the vast majority of members, and particularly small members think Damian Sillars is the best person to represent our interests.
 
We also think the tourism board and the council are doing a good job in difficult times for tourism operators. The losing candidate and his few mates hopefully now realise this since thelost in a landslide to Damian Sillars. Also the losing candidate and some of his whinging mates have their management rights for sale so they can’t be committed to our region. And as for the council using Peppers and Mantra for functions – thats because they are the only 2 venues big enough to hold the required number of operators – you idiots.
 
As small business operators (who know exactly whats goes on around town) We actually feel a bit sorry for the losing candidate because he is being led by the nose by a small band of whinging idiots who wouldn’t work in an iron lung.
 
In challenging times, like we have now it is easy to attack others for your own problems. Our advise to the losing candidate is to accept the majority decison and also to ditch your few whinging mates particularly the short fat whinging pom from delfinos. they are using you and laughing behind your back. And to his few whinging mates – stop blaming others for the difficult times and your own incompetence, get up off your fat arses, do some work, get involved and stop living off the backs of the rest of us.
 
Maybe then you’ll realise how tourism actually works and be too busy to write emails full of crap.

BBS: Anyone else a little bemused by this situation?

Jobs for the boys

We received the following by email this morning:
When is an Election not a Election? This was the question asked, by many of the disgruntled members of the FCSBRTB (Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board) after yesterdays Election for an Area Representative. To vote you have to be a member of the FCSBRTB ok that’s fine. The problem arose when members who could not attend, voted by proxy, using a friend who could attend,to lodge it for him,and being available,should it be necessary to check the authenticity of the proxy.

(Section 21.13 (v1) of the constitution of the Fraser coast south burnett regional tourism board) Reads as follows. A member may vote in person or by proxy or by attorney and on a show of hands every person present who is a member or a representative of a member may have one vote only in addition to his own vote and in a secret ballot  every member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorized representative shall have one vote only in addition to their own vote. Phew! any legal help greatly appreciated.

Back to the story. After much red faces by the board and heads in books 15 minutes had passed only to be told, subsection 25b paragraph c (Yes minister) that the votes held by the non members (Friends) FGSBRTB were nil and void, that’s, that. All are collected and the ballot closed, not quite, the Treasurer was noticed,rushing to the door with a hand full of papers which were thrusted into the ballot box. Needless to say we lost, but we would like to know why the Council, Ouick Cat 2, Golf Club, RSL, the list goes on, voted for a person who, not only did not send his apologies and not even turn up, to vote.

 The majority of members are small business, as much as 90%, all we wanted was person on the board to air our ideas. We will all be looking very carefully at our membership of the FCSBRTB and after reading the report, where half of the 1 million dollars, goes in running costs and $60000 for a new vehicle, we have to ask “What do we get for our money” Jack Tish. Congratulations to the new Area Representative Damien Sillers – Peppers,Stella Group/MFS, remember the company,when you read about where all council functions are held. You always have to “Pay the Piper”..

 

BBS writes: simple solution (we think) – if all the small operators on the board quit and stop paying membership dues.  We doubt it would ever happen but if everyone pulled out, the big fish might have to take notice. (Update: see the latest post for the flip side of this debate)

The ballot boxes have been ordered!

Take this for what it’s worth, but I’ve been informed by one of the manufacturers in Brisbane that the Electoral Commission of Queensland has placed orders for cardboard ballot boxes to be delivered by mid November.
Could that mean an election could be called for late November or early December? Quite possibly given the horror run the Queensland Government faces.
They’re under the pump with infrastructure on all fronts, from hospitals, schools, roads, ambulance, water and so on it goes. This dismal failure of the Beattie/Bligh rmob to deliver during a decade of good times has meant that billions and billions of dollars needs to be spent just to get back to where we were ten years ago, let alone provide for the future. And just as they grasp that nettle, along comes a financial crisis.
Now they’re already in debt to the tune of $65 billion in the forward estimates to 2012. Imagine what this latest is going to do to the ability of the Beattie/Bligh mob to borrow in the quest to once again hide the results of their mismanagement from the electors of Queensland.
So, what’s the solution? An early election,before they have to bring down a budget that will, necessarily, be just loaded with nasties in an effort to bring stability back to the infrastructural equation.

Weekend Edition

We were not surprised to read in today’s daily that several councilors were less than amused at having very minimal time to review the report into council’s water operations.  We’ve asked before and we’ll ask again – why the undue haste?

Where is the public consultation on the matter?  While we’re asking questions, A & D from Hervey Bay emailed us in the following:

Dear Strewth always enjoy your column.
Would it be possible for you to find out what electoral payments were paid to are current councilors before the amalgamation?

As of August this year legislation by the Bligh government has reduced the amount of donation from $1500 to $1000 without having to lodge it with the Electoral Commission (Electoral Act 1992) I believe if you were to contact the Council Offices and ask for the Returns they can not say no. I was informed by the Commission that you do not have to go through Freedom of Information so there’s no fee involved.

I am intrigued by the recent Planning meeting where initially Belinda McNeven put her hand up regarding a conflict of interest, which was quickly followed by at least three councilors doing the same. It would appear the last election was not carried out on a level playing field and many hopefuls were wasting their time and money in this open and transparent election !

BBS replies:  We’d love to ask the question but don’t  you think it might give us away if we were to call in asking for the information?  If anyone is interested in asking, we’re sure interested in printing the response!

Mega Mail Box

A post on Sue Brooks site dated October 6, 2008, suggest collusion regarding our NEW Fraser Coast Council logo. The writer “Dobie” claims the designer of said logo is a “close friend” of a councillor who’s name, Sue has deleted in the interest of propriety !!
 
Dobie claims the logo designer has done ALL her ”close friends” work over the last 8 years and was, coincidentally involved in Maryborough’s branding !!!
 
Dobie further claims to avoid the tender process all work sent the designers way, was kept under $10K.
 
Question – is the same process being carried over into the FCRC’s work ethic? What else has the old Maryborough council been up to? Sewerage and water system in a state of collapse! Rates kept artificially low? The old squatters party and some Maryborough councillors, seem to have gone hand
in hand! One can only hope this collusion has not carried over into the council that’s mayor would
“make us best”.
 
John A Neve

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Cy d’Oliveira sent us this open letter to maverick senator Barnaby Joyce:

I demand an apology from Senator Barnaby Joyce National party Qld, about old age pensioners whom he claims will be spending their Bonus in December , on poker Machines or drinks. Undoubtedly a smaller percentage will do this, proberally less then 1%,
 
The bonus will enable most pensioners,  to pay off Credit cards (those who have them) or use this as an opportunity to replace 30 year old fridges and washing machines, a lot will even take this opportunity to stock up the food locker, or replace old worn out old clothing. May I ask why you have not picked up on the fact, that all pensioners are being paid $10 short per week on their current pensions entitlements. Check with ABS figures 14th May 2008 on weekly wages, which shows the amount pensions received is based on, and compare that with the Winter edition of the Magazine, News for Seniors, which shows the actual pension payment ,shortfall is $10 pw.
 
It is about time all politician pension payments should be the same as old age pensions (no golden parachute for politicians at tax payers expense) Politicians should arrange additional and payment (which they can afford) for their own increased pensions , which most working class people currently have to do, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. As far as I know God created all people equal, so what makes a politician so special?
 
Senator their is a saying, that to understand the plight of a pensioner, that you should try and walk in their shoes(holes and all) for a few weeks. Your remarks, will be  noted by pensioners, and do not get too comfortable in you seat, because at the next election your seat comes up for re-elections, we as pensioners will make bloody sure that we do not give our vote to the National party ever, unless you want to change the voting laws whereby pensioners would be taken off the electoral roll.
 
I do detect a similar, familiar  meanness between yourself and Mr MacScrooge.Merry Xmas!!!!
 
Cy d’Oliveira
Hervey Bay
07 4125 5527

BBS: Cy we could not agree more.  We too were disappointed to say the least with Senator Joyce’s comments this week.  The same could be said for anyone who knocks the $1000 per child the government is giving many parents – the responsible parents will be using these funds to purchase gifts that is true however the funds will also go a long way to paying for next year’s school expenses, clothing and other neccesities many families struggle with.  Stick it to him Cy!

–0–

Another chap who shall remain nameless relayed the following information to us.. it seems with amalgamation of councils comes excess employees – protected allegedly by legislation for three years.  However, employees are not protected from bullying and other measures that can be leveraged to result in an employee quiting.

Last week, council workers at Maryborough’s Landfill site were called together and told matter of factly that they no longer had jobs.  It seems with Hervey Bay’s landfill operations all but expired, there is an excess of machinery operators and the powers that be have determined excess personel in Maryborough have to go.  Here’s where it got interesting – the staff were told this and when they questioned the manager he effectively told them he’d make their positions so uncomfortable they would leave of their own accord.

We are all for cost savings with the amalgamation process but the brazen nature of this manager absolutely astounds us.  We continue to hear similar stories in other areas including with administrative personel and we are hoping it will soon settle down before council loses too many valuable employees.

–0–

Finally, scary news emerged today of an extroardinary meeting held by council to discuss the future of council’s water operations.  It seems council is hell bent on having its subsidiary swallow up its in house Fraser Coast Water operations and they seem determined to rush it through ASAP.  We are not convinced this is in the best interests of the community at this time but we’ll have to wait until we hear more details.

 

Nancy Says vol: 27

Nancy suggests (10/10/08), development is the key
to Hervey Bay’s health! But is it? Is the Bay
developing or just growing?
Development, in my view is an enhancement of
something currently existing. Growth, on the other
hand is just an increase in size.
Has the growth that has taken place in the Bay over
the last 5 or 6 years, enhanced your way of life?
Have the bulk of residents benefited? Or has there
been a deterioration in our life style?
What is required is a long term plan for the region
as a whole. A plan council’s stick to and enforce.
The logistics of the Bay make it unsuitable for any
worthwhile industry. Tiaro and Maryborough both
being on the highway lend themself to industry.
Woocoo is rural and the Bay should be a dormitory
town.
This and previous councils, in my view, flew by the
seat of their pants. Instead of having a common goal,
our region is fragmented. This is highlighted by the
fact, that if you talk to councillors or council staff,
they will tell you there is no problems with developers!
 
John A Neve

The airport we have to have!

 

Open & transparent, what’s that?
 
While Fraser Coast Regional Council residents and
ratepayers have been discussing our airports. Our
council has been acting!
 
They have approached the Minister for Local
Government for an exemption (section 492) of the
Local Government Act, Subdivision 3, Disposal of
Land or Particular Non-Current Assets, to enable
council to lease out part of the Maryborough Airport!
 
While I have searched, I can find no record of any
debate or council motion regarding this matter! So
was it done by our CEO under delegated authority?
What public consultation has taken place?
What impact will the activities of Flight Training
Australia have on the local environment?
Just who is our council representing?
Most importantly, will this make the Maryborough
airport a financially viable business?
 
John A Neve

BBS: John gave us the answer to his earlier questions.. council has approved the delegations of power to the CEO as he now elaborates:

I found it!! Ordinary Meeting No. 8, held 6 August
 
Ord 15  Confidential
 
Ord 15.4  Flight Training Queensland
 
Resolution Dalgleish/MucKan
 
This resolution gave the CEO the delegated power
to commence negotiations; obtain an exemption and
work on term for a lease.
 
Carried Unanimously
 
 
Sorry I missed this. I must be getting old.